The organization now known as Partners Harvard Medical International (PHMI) was founded originally as Harvard Medical International (HMI), a self-supporting subsidiary of Harvard University and Harvard Medical School (HMS). HMI was created to extend internationally the Medical School’s tradition of excellence in clinical medicine, medical education, and biomedical research.

Through numerous collaborations with health care delivery organizations, academic medical institutions, and other key stakeholders, PHMI has played a major role in the development of health and education infrastructures globally. Through more than 50 programs developed in over 30 countries, they have provided training and education for hundreds of health care professionals, leaders, and students around the world, and helped their clients to achieve measurable progress, as well as national and regional recognition.  

HMI became PHMI in the spring of 2008 under the terms of a new agreement between Harvard University and Partners HealthCare, a major academic health care network that includes two of the flagship teaching hospitals of Harvard Medical School. PHMI’s governance structure includes representation from Harvard University and Harvard Medical School, as well as Partners HealthCare. Its services and programs continue to draw upon the expertise of faculty and staff across Harvard University, at the Medical School, and at all of the Medical School’s affiliated teaching hospitals and institutes.

In 2003, HMI entered into a long-term collaboration with DHCC. As DHCC’s key strategic collaborator, PHMI has played a significant role in the development of the health care city and other major initiatives of the Government of Dubai. It teamed up with DHCC to develop the regulatory and governance structure for the health care city, as well as entities to support education and research: the Harvard Medical School Dubai Center (HMSDC) and the Dubai Harvard Foundation for Medical Research (DHFMR). PHMI continues to provide significant input into in the development of DHCC and the Maktoum Academic Medical Center, including playing a lead role in the planning, design, and construction oversight of the University Hospital.

As DHCC's key strategic collaborator, HMI has been working with DHCC to develop DHCC's capabilities and service offerings in the areas of medical education, health care delivery, and research. HMI has created a Dubai-based team to help carry out the terms of the partnership and ensure that objectives are met.

To learn more about our Harvard related initiatives, namely HMSDC, DHFMR, & MHML, browse through the sections herein.